Beginning Training Series: Putting It All Together

Training for what could be a life or death situation requires training in many different areas. Fitness, shooting, and combatives are all pieces of the puzzle. Mastery in any one area does not ensure your survival because there are no rules in real life. You may be the best shooter in the world, but it won’t save you when someone clubs you from behind.

Just as mastery in any one area doesn’t guarantee survival, neither does mastery in all areas. Life is unpredictable- all we really can do is give ourselves the best chance possible of survival. Part of this is learning to put all the skills together.

Mixing colors

The core of your training boils down to the primary skills like your shooting, grappling, and knife work for example. These primary colors need to be blended. You may find yourself needing to employ a firearm while grappling, or utilize a knife in order to protect a firearm. Finding instruction and experimenting with methods to combine all the pieces of your training is the key to maximizing your chances of survival. Don’t leave this to chance, learn how to integrate your training.

Going above and beyond

Eventually you will find your core competency will reach the point where you feel confident in your ability to protect yourself. This is an indication that you need to find a way to further challenge yourself. You can always find a class or instructor who can make you feel very weak and defenseless. Never cease in your mission to improve.

Find the edge cases of your training. You should always be pushing the envelope and finding the weak areas. For example, how do your skills apply when placed in a different environment, like a vehicle? Do your tactics still work if you are injured?

Training isn’t a one time thing, nor a short term endeavor. You must commit yourself to it, or failing that, hire a body guard. Remember, never cease in your practice. Always seek to grow your skills, and train like tomorrow might be your last day. Hopefully it won’t be.